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Hong Kong (CNN) -- Hong Kong police and pro-democracy protesters faced off Friday morning outside the office of the city's chief executive -- the latest sign of simmering tensions in the city, even after the announcement of potential breakthrough talks.
The demonstrators blocked two vehicles, which authorities say contained food meant for police, from entering the premises of Chief Executive C.Y. Leung's office building. They chanted "shame" and "we don't trust you."
At midnight Thursday, a deadline set by protest leaders for Hong Kong's leader to resign passed without major incident.
Several dozen police officers were at the scene Friday morning, carrying helmets, shields and, in a few cases, batons.
One of the protest leaders, Benny Tai, co-founder of the Occupy Central movement, told journalists late Friday morning that protesters should continue the policy of nonviolence and also be careful, as the police may be trying to provoke a reaction through their tactics.
He also said that, in light of Leung's refusal to step down, the pro-democracy movement will keep looking at the content and the process of the dialogue before deciding what to do.
CNN's Ivan Watson said that although protesters have also barricaded the entrance to Leung's office, they have allowed people in street clothes through. They appear to be office workers, Watson said, and were carrying what seemed to be official ID badges. The protesters also handed bundles of newspapers over the barricades.
Earlier in the day, a police officer on the scene collapsed and was taken out by ambulance. Protesters allowed the vehicle unimpeded passage. A police spokesperson said the officer was in serious condition.
Police remove barricades and tents outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on Thursday, December 11. The main site of pro-democracy protests for the past two months was broken down piece by piece, and police dragged out the last remaining demonstrators one by one.
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As the working day begun, protesters chanted, "It's 9 a.m., where is he?" referring to Leung, and mockingly called the chief executive a "turtle" for refusing to show his face.
Meanwhile, a government news release announced the temporary closure of the Central Government Offices. Around 20 branches of various banks were also closed Friday.
The confrontation comes amid intense pressure by the student-led movement for Leung's resignation. Yet he has refused do so, even warning amid protesters' threats to occupy government buildings that there will be "serious consequences" if police lines are crossed.
The chief executive did make one move demonstrators have welcomed, albeit cautiously: He said his second in command, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, will meet representatives of the Hong Kong Federation of Students to talk "constitutional development matters."
Until now, the two sides have talked past each other in the streets, in public pronouncements and through the media, not directly to one another. Besides Leung's ouster, protesters are demanding a reversal of a recently enacted policy giving Beijing veto power on who can be chief executive candidates in the 2017 election, a move that they say shows the central government is encroaching too much on Hong Kong's affairs.
The student federation confirmed the Lam meeting -- even if the time and exact agenda haven't been announced -- expressing "hope (Lam) will be committed to this city and willing to have an open dialogue." In addition to a swipe at Leung as someone who "has already lost his integrity and ruling legitimacy," the group said "the main focus of the debate should be ... political reform."
Talks or not, the Hong Kong Federation of Students also stressed that its protesters wouldn't leave the streets anytime soon.
"Hong Kong people shall continue its occupying movement until genuine universal suffrage comes to light," the group said, urging supporters to "persevere their occupying action ... and be on guard at all times."
"... Whether we will bring our actions to the next level, will very much depend on the outcome of the dialogue."
Many demonstrators weren't impressed by Leung's remarks. One man, identified only as Ray, dismissed them as "rubbish."
Another, who went by Harry, accused Leung of trying to pass the buck without making a bold decision that might irk Beijing like scrapping the policy allowing the central government to vet candidates.
"C.Y. is just putting the ball in the citizens' court again," he said.
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Authorities may be getting impatient
A government statement said the gathering protesters were paralyzing traffic in the area and warned them not to charge government buildings or police cordons.
The pro-democracy activists still occupy crucial parts of the Asian financial hub. But patience may be wearing thin as the Hong Kong government reopened Friday after two public holidays, as protests have extended into a fifth day.
All schools in the Central and Western districts were closed Friday. The government said the protests have "increasingly serious impacts on people's livelihood, Hong Kong's economy and even government operations."
Hardly relenting, protest leaders have urged more supporters to come out -- claiming that police are gathering supplies, including tear gas and pepper spray, to clear them out.
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"The police are sending gear to the (chief executive's) office," protest leader Robert Chow said. "Please go over there to offer support. We are fighting for universal suffrage and the right to nominate our leaders."
A CNN journalist saw containers being brought into the government offices Thursday evening labeled "round, 38 mm rubber baton," or rubber bullets.
Hong Kong police would not confirm the contents of the containers. Other protest leaders urged unity among a group that is rapidly becoming fatigued after several nights on the streets.
"The volunteers here are working so hard to try and keep everyone united," said Benny Tai, co-founder of the Occupy Central movement. "I really hope that we can continue to work together to continue to stand firm, to continue fighting so we can have true democracy."
A high-ranking Chinese official has denounced the protests as "illegal acts" and reiterated China's view that what happens in the special administrative region is purely a domestic matter.
"Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs," said Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister.
Hong Kong protests: What's next?
Wang is the highest-level official to speak critically about the Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstrations. Wang made the comments while standing next to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has expressed support for universal suffrage.
Can the protests last?
On Thursday, crowds at the main protest site appeared noticeably thinner. Some said the turnout could have been smaller because it was a traditional holiday when families visit their ancestors' graves.
Fewer people were camped out and sitting on the roads than earlier this week. More people were milling about and wandering the streets.
The protests have snarled traffic in Hong Kong's main finance and commerce districts. It remains unclear how long the protests can maintain support and continue to draw the numbers that have so far clogged main arteries.
"If (the students) drag this on for a really long time, they're going to start losing some of their support," said David Zweig, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, as he stood at the main protest site.
At the same time, there is "enormous pressure" for the students to gain something from the mass demonstrations.
Tensions rose after a late August decision that gave Beijing control over the slate of Hong Kong chief executive candidates in 2017. It will let the city's 5 million eligible voters pick a winner, rather than a 1,200-member committee stacked with Beijing loyalists that has chosen past leaders. But critics argue that the right to vote is pointless if the candidates are handpicked by Beijing.
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They launched the large-scale civil disobedience, which was dubbed the Umbrella Revolution after umbrellas became symbols of the movement when they were used to shield against police tear gas and pepper spray on Sunday.
The huge crowds demand true universal suffrage without restrictions on candidates. To date, 94 people have been injured in the protests, according to a government media officer. Despite the huge turnout on the streets, not everyone in Hong Kong is behind the protest movement.
Leung has backing from pro-Beijing groups such as the Silent Majority for Hong Kong, which has had its own rallies. They argue that pro-democracy activists will "endanger Hong Kong" and create chaos.
CNN's Elizabeth Joseph, Esther Pang, Anjali Tsui, Jethro Mullen, Greg Botelho and Laura Smith-Spark contributed to this report.
Workers clear barricades on December 11. Protesters wanted to pressure the government to allow open elections for Hong Kong's chief executive in 2017.
Authorities dismantle a barricade December 11 at the main protest site.
A police officer removes a protest banner from a bridge December 11.
A worker cleans the street after Hong Kong police dismantled the main protest camp December 11.
Protesters attend a sit-in rally as police officers break down the campsite.
Police officers take away a protester December 11.
A protester is carried away by police officers on December 11.
A crowd listens to a speaker at the main Hong Kong protest site in Admiralty on Tuesday, December 9.
Few pro-democracy activists tents remain on the road outside Hong Kong's Government Complex on December 9.
Hong Kong teenage protest leader Joshua Wong ended his hunger strike after about five days on Saturday, December 6, on the advice of his doctor.
The three co-founders of the Occupy Central movement -- from left, Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chan Kin-man, and the Rev. Chu Yiu-ming -- surrender to authorities in Hong Kong on Wednesday, December 3.
Student protest leader Joshua Wong carries his belongings toward a tent at the main protest site in Hong Kong's Admiralty district on Tuesday, December 2. Wong and two other student demonstrators have begun a hunger strike to demand discussions with Hong Kong's leaders over political reform for the city.
Pro-democracy protesters gather outside the Central Government Complex in Hong Kong on Monday, December 1.
Police arrest a protester outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on December 1.
A police officer clears umbrellas from the Lung Wo road tunnel after clashes between protesters and police on December 1.
Pro-democracy protesters face police forces after clashes in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Sunday, November 30.
A protester reacts after being hit by pepper spray on November 30.
Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters face off with Hong Kong police on November 30.
Pro-democracy protesters collide with police officers on the main road outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on November 30.
Police prepare to face protesters on Lung Wo Road outside Hong Kong's Government complex on November 30.
Pro-democracy protesters push police back as they advance on Lung Wo Road outside Hong Kong's Government complex on November 30.
Policemen keep vigil as pro-democracy demonstrators gather on street parallel to where a protest site was cleared in the Mongkok district of Hong Kong on Friday, November 28.
Protesters cry as police officers try to stop them from blocking the road in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong on Wednesday, November 26.
Police clash with protesters as they try to clear a major protest site on Tuesday, November 25.
A protester is carried away by police officers on November 25. Hong Kong's high court authorized police to arrest protesters who obstruct clearance of the area.
Police try to arrest a protester on November 25.
A demonstrator is sprayed with pepper spray by the police after refusing to leave the protest site on November 25.
Protesters break a glass door of the Legislative Council on Wednesday, November 19.
Protesters stand off with police officers outside the Legislative Council building after clashes on November 19.
Security staff members remove a barricade outside the CITIC tower near a protest site in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong on Tuesday, November 18.
There were no signs of resistance from protesters, some of whom helped bailiffs, police and CITIC representatives move barricades away on November 18.
The Admiralty protest site is shown on the road outside the Hong Kong Government complex on Monday, November 17.
Student leaders attempted to fly to Beijing to deliver a message to the Chinese government on Saturday, November 15. They were denied boarding after being informed that their entry permits were invalid.
A businessman walks to work past protester-placed barricades that blocked a road at the Admiralty protest site on Thursday, November 13.
People open umbrellas at the main protest site in Hong Kong on Tuesday, October 28. The umbrella has become the defining image of the protest movement, used to shield protesters from tear gas and the elements.
Riot police stand guard near a barricade in a protester-occupied area on Wednesday, October 22.
Pro-democracy protesters at an occupied area outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong watch a live broadcast of talks between Hong Kong government officials and protesters on Tuesday, October 21.
Police and protesters face each other across a barricade as tensions continue in Hong Kong on Monday, October 20.
Riot police advance on a pro-democracy protest encampment early Sunday, October 19.
A woman reads on a road barricaded by pro-democracy protesters on October 19.
Police officers yell at pro-democracy protesters as they push forward in an attempt to clear a street on Saturday, October 18.
Pro-democracy protesters sleep next to a barricade on October 18 after reclaiming streets in Mong Kok after a night of violent scuffles with police.
A journalist collapses in agony after being hit in the face with pepper spray during clashes with police on Friday, October 17.
Police use batons to hit pro-democracy protesters who are using raised umbrellas for protection on October 17.
Protesters and riot police officers face off at a main road on October 17.
People shout at pro-democracy protesters on October 17.
Riot police clear out an encampment of protesters on October 17. Police swooped in early to dismantle the protest campsite.
Demonstrators remove their belongings from a protest camp early on October 17.
Pro-democracy protesters break down as riot police clear their camp October 17.
Riot police remove barricades on October 17.
Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung arrives for a news conference on October 16. He said talks would resume with students as early as next week, but he said street protests had caused severe disruption and could not continue.
Pro-democracy demonstrator Ken Tsang gets taken taken away by police before allegedly being beaten up in Hong Kong on October 15. Authorities have vowed to conduct an investigation into a widely circulated video that appears to show plainclothes officers kicking and punching the man.
A police officer shouts at a protester who was hit with pepper spray on October 15.
Pro-democracy protesters hide behind umbrellas to protect themselves from pepper spray on October 15.
Protesters move barriers as others block a main road in Hong Kong with metal and plastic safety barriers on October 15.
Police march toward pro-democracy protesters outside central government offices on October 15.
Protesters gather near central government offices on October 15.
Police move toward pro-democracy protesters during a standoff outside central government offices on October 14.
Police remove bamboo that pro-democracy protesters had set up to block off main roads on October 14.
Pro-democracy protesters watch as police remove barricades on October 14.
Cleaners sweep the main road after the police's removal of barricades on October 14.
Police ask a protester to leave the main road of Hong Kong's Central district on October 14.
Police dismantle barricades from the streets on October 14.
Police officers run to barricades set up by protesters on October 14.
Protesters raise their hands behind police officers after people tried to remove the metal barricades that protesters set up to block off main roads near the city's financial district on October 13.
A police officer tries to stop a man from removing metal barricades set up by protesters on October 13.
A police officer scuffles with a man on October 13.
Police officers arrest a demonstrator on October 13.
A demonstrator sets up a new barricade made of bamboo in Hong Kong on October 13.
Police officers remove barricades used by protesters on October 13.
Taxi drivers protest in Hong Kong on October 13, urging pro-democracy demonstrators to clear the roads.
People gather beneath the statue "Umbrella Man," by the Hong Kong artist known as Milk, which has become a symbol at the protest site, on Saturday, October 11, in Hong Kong.
Pro-democracy protesters remain scattered at the protest site in Admiralty on Thursday, October 9. The government canceled talks that day after protest leaders urged supporters to keep up the occupation.
Taxi drivers attend a small demonstration calling for protesters to stop blocking roads through the city on October 9.
A woman drinks a soda as she walks past a barricade erected by pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong on October 9.
A pro-democracy protester sleeps on a street in the occupied area surrounding the government complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday, October 8.
A pro-democracy protester reads a newspaper in Hong Kong's Mong Kok district on Tuesday, October 7, as a police officer stands nearby.
Protesters walk up an empty street inside the protest site near Hong Kong's government complex on October 7.
Joshua Wong, a 17-year-old student protest leader, is interviewed at the protest site near government headquarters on Monday, October 6.
A man walks to work as pro-democracy demonstrators sleep on the road in the occupied areas surrounding the government complex in Hong Kong on October 6.
A ray of sunlight bathes sleeping protesters as they occupy a major highway in Hong Kong on October 6. Protesters say Beijing has gone back on its pledge to allow universal suffrage in Hong Kong, which was promised "a high degree of autonomy" when it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.
People take an escalator to work as protesters sleep on October 6.
The statue "Umbrella Man," by the Hong Kong artist known as Milk, stands at a pro-democracy protest site in the Admiralty district on October 6.
People walk to work on a main road in the occupied areas of Hong Kong on October 6.
Police officers remove barriers outside government offices in Hong Kong on Sunday, October 5.
Student protesters carry a barrier to block a street leading to the protest site on October 5.
Pro-democracy demonstrators occupy the streets near government headquarters on October 5.
Pro-democracy demonstrators surround police October 5 in the Mong Kok district of Hong Kong.
A pro-democracy protester holds on to a barrier as he and others defend a barricade from attacks by rival protest groups in the Mong Kok district on Saturday, October 4.
Pro-democracy student protesters pin a man to the ground after an assault during a scuffle with local residents in Mong Kok on October 4.
Pro-democracy protesters raise their arms in a sign of nonviolence as they protect a barricade from rival protest groups in the Mong Kok district on October 4.
A pro-Beijing activist holds up blue ribbons for anti-Occupy Central protestors to collect as pro-government speeches are made in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong on October 4.
A man sits in front of a barricade built by pro-democracy protesters on October 4 in the Kowloon district.
Thousands of pro-democracy activists attend a rally on the streets near government headquarters on October 4 in Hong Kong.
A group of men in masks fight with a man who tried to stop them from removing barricades from a pro-democracy protest area in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong on Friday, October 3.
Police raise hands against protesters as an ambulance tries to leave the compound of the chief executive office in Hong Kong on October 3.
A protester tries to negotiate with angry residents trying to remove barricades blocking streets in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay on October 3. Large crowds opposed to the pro-democracy movement gathered to clear the area.
Pro-democracy demonstrators protect a barricade from "anti-Occupy" crowds in Hong Kong on October 3.
A man shouts at a pro-democracy demonstrator on October 3.
Police try to pry a man from a fence guarded by pro-democracy demonstrators on October 3.
Pro-democracy demonstrators sleep on the street outside a government complex in Hong Kong on Thursday, October 2.
As the sun rises, a protester reads during a sit-in blocking the entrance to the chief executive's office on October 2.
Yellow ribbons, a symbol of the protests in Hong Kong, are tied to a fence as police and security officers stand guard at the government headquarters on October 2.
Protesters confront police outside the government complex in Hong Kong on October 2.
Protesters camp out in a street in Hong Kong on Wednesday, October 1.
Founder of the student pro-democracy group Scholarism, Joshua Wong, center, stands in silent protest with supporters at the flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong on October 1.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive C.Y. Leung attends a flag raising ceremony to mark the 65th anniversary of the founding of Communist China on October 1.
A pro-democracy activist shouts slogans on a street near the government headquarters on Wednesday, October 1.
Hong Kong police stand guard outside the flag-raising ceremony October 1.
Pro-democracy demonstrators gather for a third night in Hong Kong on Tuesday, September 30.
Protesters sing songs and wave their cell phones in the air after a massive thunderstorm passed over the Hong Kong Government Complex on September 30.
Protesters take part in a rally on a street outside the Hong Kong Government Complex on September 30.
Student activists rest on a road in Hong Kong on September 30, near the government headquarters where pro-democracy activists have gathered.
A pro-democracy demonstrator guards a bus covered with messages of support in Hong Kong on September 30.
Protesters sleep on the streets outside the Hong Kong Government Complex at sunrise on September 30.
Protesters hold up their cell phones in a display of solidarity during a protest outside the Legislative Council headquarters in Hong Kong on Monday, September 29.
Protesters put on goggles and wrap themselves in plastic on September 29 after hearing a rumor that police were coming with tear gas.
Police officers stand off with protesters next to the Hong Kong police headquarters on September 29.
A man helps protesters use a makeshift ladder to climb over concrete street barricades on September 29.
Riot police fire tear gas on student protesters occupying streets around government buildings in Hong Kong on September 29.
Police officers rest after protests on September 29.
Pro-democracy protesters argue with a man, left, who opposes the occupation of Nathan Road in Hong Kong on September 29.
Pro-democracy protesters sit in a road as they face off with local police on September 29.
Pro-democracy protesters rest around empty buses as they block Nathan Road in Hong Kong on September 29. Multiple bus routes have been suspended or diverted.
Police walk down a stairwell as demonstrators gather outside government buildings in Hong Kong on September 29.
Stacks of umbrellas are ready for protesters to use as shields against pepper spray on September 29.
Protesters turn the Chinese flag upside-down on September 29 outside a commercial building near the main Occupy Central protest area in Hong Kong.
Protesters occupy a main road in the Central district of Hong Kong after riot police used tear gas against them on Sunday, September 28.
Demonstrators disperse as tear gas is fired during a protest on September 28. There is an "optimal amount of police officers dispersed" around the scene, a Hong Kong police representative said.
Police use pepper spray and tear gas against demonstrators September 28. The protests, which have seen thousands of students in their teens and 20s take to the streets, swelled in size over the weekend.
Riot police clash with protesters on September 28.
Police and protesters clash during a tense standoff with thousands of student demonstrators, recently joined by the like-minded Occupy Central movement, on September 28.
Benny Tai, center, founder of the Occupy Central movement, raises a fist after announcing the group would join the students during a demonstration outside government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 28.
Pro-democracy activist and former legislator Martin Lee wears goggles and a mask to protect against pepper spray on September 28.
A pro-democracy activist shouts at police officers behind a fence with yellow ribbons on September 28.
A sign for the Hong Kong central government offices has been crossed out with red tape by democracy activists on September 28.
Pro-democracy protesters gather near government headquarters on September 29.
Protesters gather during a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Legislative Counsel on September 28 as calls for Beijing to grant the city universal suffrage grow louder and more fractious.
Protesters tie up barricades on September 28 during a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong.
An injured protester is tended to after clashing with riot police outside Hong Kong government complex on Saturday, September 27.
Riot police use pepper spray on pro-democracy activists who forced their way into the Hong Kong government headquarters during a demonstration on September 27.
People watch from on high as pro-democracy demonstrators are surrounded by police after storming a courtyard outside Hong Kong's legislative headquarters on Friday, September 26.
Students march to Government House in Hong Kong on Thursday, September 25.
